So maybe someone needs to step forward and give the world a pep talk, or a good old “fireside chat.”

Remember the line, “We have nothing to fear except fear itself”?

We might also consider some old passe tools like prayer and hope and faith and service to others.

Because there are now four Americans trying to get every available job and unemployment won’t last forever.

Because no matter how much cocaine and alcohol is applied to an economic meltdown the Visa and Mastercard still have to be paid…

Enter Gordon Brown who says in the UK at least the public can harness the “British spirit” and remain resolute and upbeat.

Note to our leaders: Leadership needs to remember that the public needs a morale boost now and again.

*****

By Andrew Porter, Political Editor, in Davos
From the Telegraph (UK)

Gordon Brown has issued a passionate appeal to the British people for optimism in the face of the economic downturn, insisting that confidence will see the country through the deepening recession.

While admitting that Britain is “in the eye of the storm”, the Prime Minister said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph that the country will see off the worst of the slowdown if the public can harness the “British spirit” and remain resolute and upbeat.

International forecasters say that Britain is heading for the deepest recession of any advanced economy, with unemployment predicted to pass 3 million, but Mr Brown appeals against “talking the country down”.

In a striking show of optimism, he declares: “I am absolutely confident about Britain’s future. I have utter confidence in our ability to come through this. I have utter confidence not only in the British people’s determination to come through this, but that people will work together to make sure Britain emerges from this.

“The British spirit is to see a problem, identify it, and get on with solving it. Once a problem hits us we are determined and resolute and we are adamant that we are going to deal with that problem.

“And that is the resolve, not just of the Government, but the resolve of the whole people.”

The Prime Minister, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, admits that the stakes could not be higher, saying that if a London summit of world leaders in April fails, then the world risks

sliding into protectionism and an economic slump similar to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The April summit, hosted by Mr Brown, will bring together leaders of the G20 economies, including Barack Obama, the US president.